Wales head coach Warren Gatland has denied he had gambled in selecting James Hook at full-back for Saturday's second Test against South Africa.

Hook, traditionally a fly-half or centre, has not played in the position for either Wales or the Ospreys yet has been thrust in at the deep against the world champions.

The 22-year-old's only experience in the number 15 jersey was a couple of outings with Neath as a semi-professional three years ago.

It is a bold selection that also sees Jamie Roberts played out of position, the Cardiff Blue moving from full-back to inside centre for his third cap.

The changes will be viewed as a role of the dice by some but Gatland stressed he had not hit the panic button in response to last Saturday's 43-17 drubbing by the Springboks.

"I don't see this as a gamble, I see it as a great opportunity," said the Kiwi.

"It's a chance to look at depth in the squad and to find out about a few players. I want to know how we'll respond mentally to what happened last week.

"There will be a lot speculation about full-back but we felt we needed to find a way to get James Hook on the park and we decided 15 was the best place.

"James is such a talented footballer, he's great at kicking out of hand and gives us another goalkicking option. He'll have more time and space at full-back in terms of attacking.

"There were a few times against South Africa in the first Test when we could have counter-attacked but didn't.

"James has a license to bring the ball back. There's not a huge amount of expectation on him as he'll be playing his first game at 15."

Hook has been coming to terms with his new role during training this week and Gatland insisted he has the skills to make a successful transition.

"James has practised at full back and now knows how much running is involved. It's a great chance for him," he said.

"(Coach) Shaun Edwards has done some defensive work with James, who has also been looking at his lines of running.

"Positionally there's a bit of work for him to do but when you're a top quality fly-half you tend to know where full-backs stand because that's part of your kicking game. We expect him to slot in there comfortably."

Roberts will be winning his third cap on Saturday - each one in a different position - and Gatland believes his physical presence will sure up the midfield.

At 6ft 4in and nearly 17 stone Gatland hopes the 21-year-old, who has replaced Sonny Parker, will ask more questions of the Springboks' defence.

"Playing James in midfield was an option but given how physical the South Africans were in that department last Saturday we thought it best to move Jamie there," he said.

"Jamie has played a bit at centre in the past and we wanted to give him a run out there. He's a big lad and we hope he can get us across the advantage line. That's an area we've identified that we must improve on from last week."

In total Gatland has made seven changes, three positional, to the team humbled at Vodacom Park.

Skipper Ryan Jones has been shifted to blindside flanker to accommodate the promotion of Gloucester's Gareth Delve from the bench to number eight.

Jonathan Thomas has been asked to take the openside duties vacated by Dafydd Jones, who must settle for a place among the substitutes.

Ospreys hooker Richard Hibbard starts at hooker in place of the injured Matthew Rees, Gethin Jenkins switches to loosehead and Rhys Thomas replaces Adam Jones at tighthead.

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